politic

CEFRC1

/ˈpɒl.ɪ.tɪk/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Careful to avoid offending people or causing problems.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Relating to, or promoting, a policy, especially a national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end, whether right or wrong.

Examples

  • A certain convocation of politic worms are e'en at him.

  • the body politic

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings
  1. Sagacious in promoting a policy; ingenious in devising and advancing a system of management; devoted to a scheme or system rather than to a principle; hence, in a good sense, wise; prudent; sagacious

  2. Of or relating to polity, or civil government; political.

  3. Shrewd, prudent and expedient; showing policy.

More examples

In context
  • a politic treaty

  • [H]e with his people made all but one politic body whereof himself was the head

  • For then this land was famously enrich'd / With politic grave counsel

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

It was a blank move to delay the announcement until after the election.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

From Middle French politique, from Latin politicus, from Ancient Greek πολιτικός (politikós), from πολίτης (polítēs, “citizen”). Cognate with German politisch (“political”). Doublet of politico.